Come Home - Casual Sander Sides

Part 12 - Cookies

[POV Patton]

Things had been going really well! It had been over a month since Virgil moved in and maybe a week after we had left Virgil and Roman home by themselves. Virgil ended up telling me about everything that happened that night, I'm just glad to hear Roman was accepting of it. You already know I would have gone Dad Mode if anyone was being transphobic in my house. But I knew Roman better than that, no way on earth would he ever say or something to offend someone!

One big calming was seeing the strange tension the two had prior was now much less prominent. The two were able to smile and laugh with eachother, we could all hang out together like a happy family! It was so amazing! I did need to try and get a picture of Virgil up on our photo wall soon though, I don't want him to start feeling excluded because of things like that.

But despite all of that, there was still one big relief that calmed me more than anything else. Something I knew I shouldn't start to ignore or pay less attention to just because it seemed ok, but something that was calming to think about anyway.
The fact that he had made no attempt to contact me since Virgil moved in with us. Whether that was due to the fact he saw no point in it or he truly didn't suspect me to have anything to do with Virgil was unknown to me. But it was a good sign nevertheless. Not just for my sake, but for Virgils sake, and Romans sake... and even Logan's sake. As far as I was concerned, we lived a completely different life to them and I planed to keep it that way.
It's not like I wanted things to be this way... but it just has to be.
_
Anyway! All that worry is useless really! I have more important things to focus on! Like attempting to not burn our apartment down while trying this new recipe for cookies I decided would be fun to bake. Just because I am the Mum Friend doesn't mean I have motherly skills, and it definitely doesn't mean I actually know how the ever loving heck to cook these. That's a common misconception.
I mean, of course I can bake a few things. But I usually just bake the same recipe repeatedly.

Before I even knew it, I had gotten so lost in my thoughts of trying to focus on not getting distracted, I ended up getting distracted thinking about it. Frantically, I pulled the oven gloves over my hands and desperately removed  the half burnt molasses cookies out of the oven,
blowing cool air on them as best I could.
After closing the oven and fanatically pushing the cookies onto a plate that was on the kitchen counter , I heard a small chuckle from behind me.

Turning around to the noise, I finally noticed Virgil stood in the doorway, leaning against it with his arms crossed and a weak grin on his face.
"You all good in here, Pat? You seem like you're having a bit of an issue with this whole baking thing?" He raised an eyebrow at me, continuing to hold his amused expression.

It was heartwarming to see him happy, in all honesty.
"Awe Kiddo, how long have you been watching me?" I chucked back, "and not at all! You see, these cookies have turned out perfectly!"
I gestured to the plate beside me and picked up one of the cookies, biting into it to try and make a point before I was swiftly overwhelmed by the burning feeling on my tongue and the taste of charcoal and ginger.

I'm assuming my slightly shocked and repulsed reaction was evident on my face as I noticed Virgils expression turn into one of worry.
"Jeez... are they that bad?" He questioned.

"N-Nope! Not at all! They're not even bad!" I insisted, holding one out to him, "wanna try one ?"

"Uh... I'll pass on that one, maybe another time." He politely declined.

I shrugged nonchalantly and placed the cookie back on the plate for someone else to take later. Silence flowed through the air as Virgil quietly entered the kitchen and sat himself on part of the counter. I noticed that he always seemed to prefer to sit in places you didn't typically see people sat on, it was a strange thing I'll admit, but it was unique to him & something harmless! So I never brought it up.

I gave a suspicious glare to the door, checking if anyone else was outside as I started to clean up the rest of the mess I had made during my cooking experiment.
"So, Virgil, are you feeling alright... here?" I asked, my voice hushed in a whisper just out of precaution of others walking in or overhearing.

He stayed silent for a moment and fiddled with the strayed ends of his jacket sleeve before responding, "I-I guess...? I do worry that he knows where I am still and is just... waiting. But... other than that, it's nice here."

I pouted my lips ever so slightly at his response. Even if it wasn't much, the doubt still existed in his mind that he wasn't 100% safe with us. Despite all my best efforts, he still had that uncertainty.
Taking a deep breath in, I tried not to take it personally like I have an accidental habit of doing sometimes. His worries were valid but... I just wish I could get rid of that.

"Virge, I promise you, neither of them are gonna find you here," I tried to reassure him before I noticed his expression shift to one of self concern and worry.
"Anyways! Let's just... ignore that for now. No need to dwell on improbable scenarios (as Logan would say)," I giggled and forced my attitude to go more upbeat, "oh! By the way, speaking of him, me and Logan are going out again tomorrow for most of the day! We're heading out of town to go hang out with Emile again and help him set up his new office!  I hope that's no issue, to leave you and Roman alone again?"

"Oh, uh, no it's all good... me and him will be fine," Virgil responded, his tone much less enthusiastic.

"Just remember to text me back this time!" I smiled, trying to lighten the mood again when I reality, I just wanted everything to be ok.

[1090 Words]

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Wow, look at me being ominous and vague with my story again. I promise you'll find out more soon, I just hope this makes sense so far.
Also, thank you dearly for 200 reads <3
-MM